TWO IN THE FIRST HALF EQUALS THREE IN THE SECOND!

Benni McCarthy doesn’t go to drink tea at halftime – ask Steve Komphela, Owen da Gama, Gavin Hunt and others. Normally, it is very easy for Bidvest Wits to see out the game when they go into a break leading, even if it’s a single goal lead because they are the masters of closing shop and catching teams on the counter. I believe that Benni can teach other coaches on how to stimulate your players’ emotions and resurrect their drive. And oh, from position nine down to the last team, no one is safe from the dreaded axe. Not to mention what’s happening at the other end. I can’t even put my money on who will walk away with the title… Siyabonga Nkalambela, Delft What a comeback from Cape Town City! I was so happy to see Benni’s team coming from two goals down to winning 3-2. It is not easy to do that, especially against a big team like the Students who have a big coach in Gavin Hunt. The former Bafana Bafana goal poacher is doing a great job with the Citizens as they have grown into a team worthy of being called title challengers. The 2018/19 Absa Premiership race is going to be one of the best and it looks like it will be decided on the last day. With eight games to go, you can’t tell which team will win the league or go down. Fans are entertained. Nemusunda Mmboniseni, Thabo Mbeki Village I want to take my hat off to Benni and his troops for this past weekend’s comeback. They have been performing well lately and scoring lots of goals in the process. Kermit Erasmus has fitted in like a hand in a glove and has been an excellent addition to the squad, more especially in the striking department. City’s performance augurs well for the league and will ensure we enjoy the few remaining games of the campaign. Any of the top five still has a chance if they continue winning. Amos Tshukudu, Ga-Maria The PSL is getting better and better as the second half gains steam. I never thought that The Citizens would come back and humiliate Wits like they did. The Clever Boys were leading 2-0 when, all of a sudden, City and stamped their authority and scored goal after goal in the second half. Any of the top four can go on and win this league. I still believe that Sundowns will defend it though. Class is permanent, after all. Terah Maqepula, Mount Fletcher

The El Clasico has turned into a one-man show. Every time Barcelona and Real Madrid play, we know who is going to win. We just sit and wait to see the score line. They won’t admit it, but Madrid really miss the services of Cristiano Ronaldo and the timing of letting him go was a bad one. Siyabonga Nkalambela, Delft Since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo to Italian giants Juventus at the end of last season, Los Blancos look very ordinary. They have become Barcelona’s punching bag in the El Clasico and are out of the running for the Spanish LaLiga title. The only way to salvage their disappointing season would be to defend the UEFA Champions League title. It was always going to be a mammoth task to find a replacement for the fivetime FIFA World Player of the Year. Hopefully things will turn around for the team come next season. Bongani Mgubela, Diepkloof But history has proven that it’s difficult to remove Sundowns once they occupy the top spot. Pirates are giving Downs a run for their money, but I’m worried that the Buccaneers and Wits are not consistent, losing points where it matters most. I’m congratulating Downs for getting a point against a defensive Celtic side. Seems it was their plan to park the proverbial bus and catch the home side on counter-attacks. Pitso Mosimane must come with Plan B, especially with teams parking the bus. At the bottom of the table the writing is already on the wall – Maritzburg United are going down. Even that pastor who performed that “resurrection” can’t do that miracle with the Durban-based side. Aphane JM Libangeni, Vaalbank, KwaNdebele There is a glimpse of hope for relegation-threatened Maritzburg United after overcoming AmaZulu at Harry Gwala Stadium in a very exciting KwaZulu-Natal derby. It looks like the Team of Choice are playing with passion under the tutelage of Eric Tinkler. What I admire most is the jubilant atmosphere that was evident at the stadium, which goes to show that the United fans are very loyal and passionate about their team. The fans’ loyalty will eventually pay off. Although there is still much that needs to be brought into the team to get it to sustainable winning ways, I believe that Tinkler is the potential saviour who can rescue the team from

the deep waters of relegation. Rise up, Team of Choice! Batsirai Kativu, Johannesburg If the allegations levelled against Polokwane City FC regarding Rodney Ramagalela’s situation are true, then the PSL needs to intervene. Often the Absa Premiership is praised for being the most professional league in Africa and is said to be the 10th richest league in the world. This may be true, however professionalism at certain clubs is still lacking. By football rules, players are allowed to sign pre-contracts with other clubs in the last six months of their existing contracts with their current clubs. Why do PSL teams have a problem with this rule? Johnny Mogaladi is accused of deducting 40% of player salaries if a player scores an own goal. Is this stipulated in the player contracts? Where are the agents of these City players? What are they doing to stop this exploitation? Akhona Ndletyana, via email I know that it’s too early to make a call, but I see two players who are gunning for the PSL Player of the Season award – I think the race is between Thembinkosi Lorch and Themba Zwane. These two players are marvellous to watch. From my team Kaizer Chiefs, unfortunately, there is no player who deserves any award and I won’t be surprised if the management doesn’t hold the club awards ceremony yet again this season. Nghamula Moses Rikhotso, Mageva Amakhosi’s goalkeeper woes started the day they let the coach overlook our young Bruce Bvuma! If all these schoolboy errors are being committed by our own inexperienced players, then we would show some understanding, but that they are committed by old fellows in the form of Daniel Akpeyi and Virgil Vries makes it a bitter pill to swallow! I also don’t know how long it will take for our management to understand that all we need is a proven goal poacher! Thembela Mbhele, via email